Big Time Papercutting

The Big Tree, 3 ft x 7 ft

I'm still daily cutting mode, prepping small-scale framed illustrations for my literature art show in March. However, this week I've started on the large scale pieces to transform the gallery corner into a paper secret garden.  Three broken knife blades, thirty hours of work and few bandaid-wrapped fingers later, I have a tree! So far, so good. ..

This big boy tree measures a hefty 3ft x 7ft.  Now to figure out where to store it, safe from dogs, cats, children and spilled coffee...

Oh! And see you in three months...

Craft-astic

 

My latest work for the March show and my other illustration project aren't quite ready to share right now.

So here are a couple of crafty projects I made with my favorite little monster...

We upcycled some coffee cups and TP rolls into garbage dolls and Thanksgiving place-settings.

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

Lansing Art Gallery's holiday fun! (Deer drawing by me!)

Several of my art pieces were juried into Lansing Art Gallery's holiday exhibit this year!

Where are you buying your holiday gifts?

The To Do List

Secret Garden. Paper cut illustration by me. ©2016

My To Do List by Kate Cosgrove
1. Cut paper
2. Cut paper
3. Cut paper
4. Cut paper
5. Cut paper
6. Make Halloween costume
7. Cut paper
8. Cut paper
Infinity.

I'm very lucky to have so much to do in the hopper, but I'm feeling a bit tired these days.  Off to make some coffee.

Be like Bree

Bree & cat

Beautiful Bree from Florida is purrrfecting her reading skills with a copy of "The Purple Pussycat" written by Margaret Hillert, illustrated by me. 

Bree, thanks for sharing your photo with me and keep on reading! :) 

Ernest Goes to Camp

Trees don't shake hands, trees hug 

I was fortunate enough to join my agency for a retreat in Sequim, Washington over the weekend.

The creatives worked on our projects, had one-on-ones with our agents, stayed up late grilling marshmallows in spa masks and went on more than one Bigfoot search.

It was pretty awesome and a nice opportunity to connect with some brilliant nerds in the woods!

I'm excited to see where this year will take us. #CampECLA

Winter Wine & Stein 2016

Just finished the art for Potter Park Zoo's SUPER fun adults-only winter event.  I really love how it turned out, as this year it features one of my favorite birds, the Bali Myna.

Snip snip snip snip

With only a few months to go before my illustration show, I'm in full production mode. I feel like Edward Scissorhands and my house is dusted in a snowstorm of paper confetti.  So basically, I'm having the time of my life. :)

I Cat Read

That cat has great taste

Jasper from Detroit is purrrrfectly content reading his copy of "The Purple Pussycat." Do you have your's yet? Well what are you waiting for?  Order one right meow!

The Purple Pussycat is a lovely beginner reader for cats and kids of all ages, written by Margaret Hillert and illustrated by me.

This delightful book will leave you feline fine!

#SmartyCats #TerriblePuns

Deming Grant Show Preview

The art pieces for my March 2017 children's literature illustration show are starting to percolate. Here's another preview of a cut illustration in progress, the piece is based on the book Jane Eyre. 

This show is funded in part by Barbara Deming Memorial Fund. Thanks to their generous grant and my partnership with Lansing Art Gallery, I am just so excited about this exhibition! 

Guarantee a happily ever after, read The Purple Pussycat!

Siblings reading 

Cutie sisters Jade and Josie from Missouri sent me this darling photo of them enjoying my book The Purple Pussycat. Nice to see sibling reading replacing sibling rivalry!  Thanks for the photo ladies, it gave my heart a squeeze!

The Purple Pussycat by Margaret Hillert, illustrated by me can be purchased through Norwood House Press and is also available via Amazon. 

Back 2 School Sale: Unicorn Papercut Mini (limited time only)

Tiny Uni ©2016

"Tiny Uni" original hand-cut paper illustration.
SOLD :) Thank you!!
*MI residents pay 6% sales tax.  Shipping & handling fees apply. If more than one item is purchased at a time, a shipping discount will be refunded to your paypal. This item ships direct from artist & is unframed. 

Papercut: Mermaid

 Mermaid ©2016

I'm exhibiting some papercut art this holiday season... Once I figure out how to mount them. 

More details to come on their exhibition location... Stay tuned!

Paper Bird

"Paper Bird" ©2016

"Paper Bird" ©2016

This March I will be soloing an illustration show at Lansing Art Gallery, generously sponsored by a grant from the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund. In addition to drawings, I will be transforming a hidden corner of the gallery into something special. Here's a taste of the art that will surround the art.

Once upon a time...

Early readers enjoying "The Purple Pussycat" illustrated by me.

When people send me fan-pix of littles enjoying my artwork (and books), it makes my heart explode all over the place.

I'm feeling the love this week.  :)

The Purple Pussycat by Margaret Hillert, illustrated by me can be purchased through Norwood House Press and is also available via Amazon. 

The Purple Pussycat has ARRIVED

The Purple Pussycat illustrated by ME!

Instead of bills and junk, my mail was pretty epic today...This afternoon I received my first copies of "The Purple Pussycat" by Margaret Hillert aka the vintage beginner reader that I illustrated for Norwood House Press!

The print quality of the hardcover (I haven't gotten my hands on a softcover yet) is gorgeous!  Pick up your own copy of this great little beginner book for the newbie (or cat lover) in your life!

Zoo Fall Preview

My digital illustration and design for Potter Park Zoo's fall adults only party. Check it out!

Exhibition Teaser

Future home of my March 2017 art exhibit.

I'm honored to be a 2016 Barbara Deming Memorial Fund Recipient. Thanks to their generous grant and my partnership with Lansing Art Gallery, I have BIG plans in store for this little corner of the gallery space and our community!

Stay tuned for more details on this illustration transformation to be unveiled in a March 2017 exhibition!

Be More Like Ferguson...

Ferguson & Bump in the Night

My buddy Ferguson nabbed a free print of my piece "Bump in the Night" at Lansing Art Gallery.  

So...Do you have your free art yet?! Don't wait too long, it's only while supplies last.

Head over to Lansing Art Gallery where you can ooh and ahhh over the original PopUp pieces and then grab a FREE print on your way out the door!

Other PopUp fun includes a large reproduction of "Bump" located in the kiosk on the corner of Ionia and Washington Avenue in Downtown Lansing.  Snap a pix next to it and you might be featured on this fine blog... Just like Ferguson!

Follow the White Rabbit to LAG

I'm Late ©2016

I have some brand-spanking-new pieces that will be headed to the Lansing Art Gallery in time for their big POPUP Art reception on June 10.

So follow the white rabbit to all the fun...

Still having fun with the different formats of this illustration I did for Potter Park Zoo's Zookambi kid's camp.

POP Goes the Painting

I am beyond excited to have juried into this awesome public art project: PopUp Art, hosted by Lansing Art Gallery!

There were over 200 art submissions and 12 art pieces were chosen, including my newest illustration "Bump in the Night," by a panel of three judges.

In addition to the public art aspect, you can check out my arty original that will be on exhibition at Lansing Art Gallery from June-August of 2016.

Getting Moose-y

I designed this sign for Potter Park Zoo and I am kind of smitten right now.

I didn't realize how incredible moose were until I saw one wandering through it's enclosure at the zoo and I actually gasped.  It's nerdy to say, but they are pretty darn majestic.

New Art Alert: Unicorny

©2016

Playing with a little patterned illustration for this piece called "Unicorny."

New Art: Bump in the Night

©2016

I made a new illustration this week called 'Bump in the Night.'

My little one has been suffering from nightmares and it's made me think a lot about the things that have given me the willies over the years.

I don't think I'll ever make peace with long-legged centipedes... eek!

Enid Spring

Enid Spring aka your new favorite book

My sample copies (soft & hard) for 'Enid Spring' arrived today and they are BEAUTIFUL! In case you don't remember, this lovely bedtime story was written by author Claudia Campbell and illustrated by me last spring.  

I'm still awaiting release/purchase details, and I will let you know once they are available!  Stay tuned... #ThinkSpring 

I Saw The Sign

I gave Potter Park Zoo's seasonal hours sign a little face-lift.  The nip & tuck will be hopefully be displayed before the summer season.  Which according to the sign starts on April 1st!

Finale

Then you finish the final art and fall in love again...

Sketchy

©2016

Sometimes I almost prefer the distress of a good solid sketch.

Here's a preliminary piece for the project I'm working on for the awesome band Westrin & Mowry.

Shock the Monkey

This is the chosen monkey design for this year's Wine & Stein... Hope to see you there!

Westrin, Mowry & Art by Kate

I recently teamed up with one of my favorite Michigan-based bands Westrin & Mowry to create the artwork for their INCREDIBLE new album "Rogues."

For more details about the release and how you can get involved, follow them on Instagram @westrinandmowry.

Heroically Ever After...

Anne Girl ©2016

I received word that I am slated for a solo show at Lansing Art Gallery through the month of March 2018.  Yep... 20-EIGHTEEN... That's because "Heroically Ever After" will feature a brand new body of work that will take roughly two years to complete.

I will be creating illustrations of my favorite girl heros from my favorite novels penned by women authors.  More specifically, the focus will be on: Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, The Secret Garden, A Little Princess and Jane Eyre.

So save the date... For Women's History Month, 2018!

Zookambi Art

Digital illustration by me for Potter Park Zoo.

Year of the Monkey

A couple digital art options submitted to the zoo recently.  It's the year of the monkey!  #Bananas

Digital Illustration

A little digital illustration and design from yours truly...

One Lady, Lady Show... A Preview

©2016

I've started sketching and painting illustrations for a one-lady-lady show.  More details as they unfold, but here's a sneak peek.